Hole through surface solidworks question

[Danimal]

Hi, long time listener first time caller -

this could well be a stupid question but how do you create a hole (or keel slot) in a surface that has been imported as an iges from FreeShip - in Solidworks -

have had exp in solid works before but have not dealt much with surfaces -

is it best to import the section stations and the loft the hull surface in solid works?? i basically want to create a hull bulkhead config with all structural elements to then put into a COSMOS analysis

cheers all -

D

[E Hanson]

Danimal,

I use imported surfaces all the time in Solidworks. Think of the imported surface as a "frame" to build the solid features on. This is the method I use:

1. Import the suface into a part file.

2. Use the part file to start an assembly file.

3. Insert a part "in context" into the assembly. lets call it the hull.

4. edit the hull in context. Use the "surface offset" command to copy the surface into the "hull" part. use an offset of zero.

5. Thicken the copied surface to the required material thickness.

6. Make your trims and cuts to the hull part, leaving the first imported surface unedited.

7. use the imported suface to define any stringers, or bulkheads. If you use the "hull" part, any aditional cuts you add to the hull later will break references.

I hope this helps. Please ask if I am not clear.

EWH

[E Hanson]

Lets see if I can post a file...

[Danimal]

cheers E, i will spend some time checking it out - looks good when i opened it -

now, i have been trying to create a solid frame or bulkhead to attached to the inside surface of a hull - i have been having problems.

my question is how do you match the outside shape of the frame so that it compliments the attachment point of the hull - i am guessing that to do an FE analysis in solid works i am going to have to get the match correct.

i have been able to define a plane at the frame station and sketch the shape but i dont know how to extrude a solid from this that conforms to the curvature of the hull - any assistance would be much appreciated -

cheers,

D

[E Hanson]

Danimal,

I have added two bulkheads to the model. One is done if the boat was aluminium, the other is as if the boat is FRP. They are two examples of how a bulkhead can be added. Note that if I was modeling an aluminium boat, I would have thickened the hull outboard. This would have prevented the part to part interferance problem. The hull would also have been done in developable plates..

I am not too sure how well an FEA analysis will work on such a model. I am no expert in FEA.

EWH.

[Danimal]

thanks E, i will check it out tonight -

many thanks -

d